Signs of Disorganization at Work

In a 2011 study commissioned by Professional Organizers in Canada, 7 in 10 Canadians who work say their workplace is disorganized and report feelings of stress, frustration and failure. Disorganization not only affects the individual’s work, it affects others – both colleagues and customers. Added up, there is a significant cost to being disorganized.

A messy desk may be the most obvious sign of disorganization; it is however, not the only indication. Keep a lookout for:

Time lost searching for misplaced items for information.

Being late for or missing appointments.

Missing work deliverables or submitting incomplete or unprofessional work.

Not spending time on the most important tasks.

Missing work due to stress or preventable workplace injuries.

The impact of a disorganized approach to work includes:

Lower overall productivity and/or working longer hours.

Lack of credibility.

Job dissatisfaction and other negative feelings.

Lack of career growth.

Absenteeism.

Getting organized is not about moving from procrastination to perfection. It is about being the most productive person you can be. A sense of achievement is indeed what drives many of us. There is research to suggest happy people are more productive people. I suggest the reverse is also true – productive people are more satisfied people. Now, what will you spend all that extra time on?

TRUTHBOMB: Getting organized is not about moving from procrastination to perfection. It is about being the most productive person you can be.